Due Hue

• Let his favorite color or color combinations be the theme. This is an especially good idea for a sports fan. Incorporate, for example, blue and white into your centerpiece in creative ways. One eye-catching and budget-friendly option is to simply spray paint a few tree branches white and a few blue and stand them up in a vase. Tie white ribbons and blue ribbons around the vase. Add some white and blue candles for twinkle.
  
  

Job Topic

• If the theme is the celebrant’s occupation, let the centerpiece reflect this. For example, go medical. If he’s a nurse, make or have made a tablecloth out of nurse’s scrubs. If he’s a doctor, dress the table with a crisp white tablecloth suggestive of a doctor’s coat. Place glass vases of different sizes in the table center and fill with items such as empty prescription pill bottles, medical scissors, stethoscopes, medical tongs and cotton balls.
  
  

Hip Heritage

• Another idea is culture. For a Japanese theme, use a vase of Asian lilies, Japanese paper lanterns and a scroll of Japanese writing. If he’s Italian, reflect the red, white and green of the flag with a cluster of flowers or balloons or candles. On a very long table, in lieu of a table runner, place items featuring famous Italian landmarks down the center of the table: figurines, snow globes, postcards, place card holders and framed pictures.
  
  

Good Trait

• Use his hobbies or interests as centerpiece inspiration. Have a cake made to display on the table that looks like a large potted plant if he loves nature or gardening, or like his beloved pet if he has a canine best friend. If he never misses his daily bike ride, use a toy bike as a table centerpiece. Use a display of artfully arranged paintbrushes if he’s an artist. If he’s into music, use album covers.